An ad hoc coalition of organizers from various community
groups has been meeting to discuss possible solutions to proposed Ordinance
20303, which prohibits the gathering of 25 or more persons downtown
without a permit. An ordinance to this effect has been in place since
1972, but the City Council recently amended it to incorporate an even
larger parcel of downtown: from 6th to 11th avenues and from High to
Lincoln streets.

The expansion of limits on free assembly and free speech
has created alarm among many Eugene citizens.

The ad hoc coalition, after meeting at Harris Hall on
Dec. 8 to discuss possible action, asked attorney Brian Michaels and
ACLU Executive Director Dave Fidanque to draft a letter to Eugene's
acting City Attorney, Jerome Lidz, asking that the city wait to enforce
parts of the new law until community concerns have been addressed.

The ordinance is set to take effect Dec. 24.

The letter states, in part, "After having reviewed the
ordinance, it is our opinion the Permit requirement for meetings/assemblies
of more than 25 people and other sections relating to free expression
and assembly are unenforceable in their current form."

The letter was mailed Dec. 13 and requests a reply no
later than Friday, Dec. 19.

"Earlier, we agreed to withdraw our opposition to the
ordinance and work with City staff to minimize the negative impacts
on constitutionally protected expression and assembly," Fidanque says,
"but after reviewing the analysis by local attorney Brian Michaels of
the interaction between the new ordinance and existing sections of the
City code, we agree the constitutional defects can't be fixed without
making revisions to the ordinance."

Coalition members will hold another meeting at 5 pm,
Dec. 19 at Cozmic Pizza (8th and Charnelton) to discuss further action.

One planned event occurs on Dec. 24 to mark the first
day of the ordinance's enactment. Citizens will gather at 4:30 pm at
Cozmic Pizza, assemble in groups of 25 or more without permits and go
Christmas caroling in the restricted downtown area.

Organizers say challenging an unjust law by singing
carols is "a great way to celebrate the holidays." — Aria Seligmann

HEALTHY
CITY FOR WOMEN

Eugene is one of the best cities in the nation for women
to live in, according to rankings by SELF magazine, circulation
941,000. The magazine recently cited Eugene's "crisp air, pure water
and clear skies" in rating the city #1 for best environment. Other factors
included Eugene's eco-friendly new public library, aggressive recycling,
storm-water programs, efforts to promote walking and biking to work,
and in-shape residents enjoying it all. —
Alan Pittman

GENESIS
JUICE WILL CONTINUE FLOWING

As 2004 approaches, longtime lovers of Genesis Juice
can rest assured that their favorite raw juice drinks will be around
for at least a little while longer.

In September, members of the Genesis Juice Cooperative
learned they had been operating in violation of the FDA's Juice Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Point Law (HACCP), which requires that
juice producers, except for very small businesses, meet a five-log pathogen
reduction standard using either pasteurization or an alternative method
to reduce the presence of hazardous bacteria such as E. coli. A five-log
standard means that the juice must achieve at least a 100,000-fold decrease
in the number of microorganisms. Alternatives to pasteurization include
using UV light or high pressure to reduce pathogens.

Genesis failed to meet the "very small business" standards
and was considering possible closure.

But the business was spared because the FDA regulation
is passed down to the states to enforce, and Oregon has no such regulation
— yet.

Phyllis Wagner, a representative for Congressman DeFazio,
said that Genesis is in the clear for the time being.

"Currently, the states have no guidelines to enforce
[HACCP], and it takes a few years to come up with these types of regulations,"
she says.

Alan Bennet, of the FDA Portland post, says "the HACCP
rules are being phased in with small manufacturers," and although he
could not comment on the fate of Genesis Juice Cooperative, he said
that Oregon will adopt FDA rules that will eventually be enforced.

Opponents of the HACCP regulations, including Genesis,
feel that pasteurization and the alternatives degrade the nutritional
value and alter the flavor of the juice. — Karman Ratliff

To reduce U.S. casualties, Operation Iron Hammer, launched
in November, employs bombing raids, razor wire and checkpoints encircling
Iraqi villages, demolishing houses where resistance activity is suspected,
and imprisoning relatives of suspected fighters. But according to U.S.
Lt. Col. Sassoman, Iraq, "With a heavy dose of fear and violence and
a lot of money for projects, I think we can convince these people that
we are here to help them" (New York Times).

On the West Bank, International Solidarity Movement
volunteers are currently picking large rocks out of a field near Jenin,
accompanying Palestinian farmers who could not plow their land near
an Israeli settlement for three years because Israeli soldiers were
shooting at them.

Nonviolent Peaceforce, founded in 1999, is training
an international corps of civilian peacekeepers "to prevent death and
destruction in conflict areas, creating safe space for local groups
to struggle nonviolently and seek peaceful resolutions." In November
the first peacekeepers reached Sri Lanka, the pilot site, where they
will live and work for two years. The Peaceforce has issued 100,000
Peace Bonds, earth-friendly gifts for $10 each. In 2010, when they mature,
investors will have a strong Peaceforce (www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org).
— Kate Rogers Gessert

MOTHER
KALI'S STAYING AFLOAT

Like many small, independent bookstores, Mother Kali's
has met with some financial troubles recently and is struggling to stay
afloat. But the community has stepped up to lend its support.

A recent fund-raising dinner at the Keystone Café
garnered the tome mart a sweet $1,300. Next, a "generous benefactor"
came forth to offer rent help for the next two months.

"Both of these developments will give us time to explore
options for the future of the store," says Mother Kali's Tracy Scharn.

Scharn hopes that storewide discounts in December and
the textbook rush of January will place the shop in good stead. An art
show fund-raiser at the store from 1 to 6 pm Saturday, Dec. 20 will
celebrate Solstice and also support the store.

Scharn and the rest of Mother Kali's staff say they
are grateful to the individuals and businesses, including Sweet Life
Patisserie, Cascade Candle Company, Rhythm and Blooms, the Village School,
Aramark, and Keystone Café for the encouragement.

"At a time when independent bookstores are struggling
to compete against large chains, it is wonderful to see the community
come out to support Eugene's feminist independent bookstore," says Scharn.
— AS

EARLY
DEADLINES

Both Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Thursdays
this year, so EW will be printed early and distributed on the
last two Wednesdays of the year. The deadline was Dec. 17 for the Dec.
24 issue, and noon Wednesday, Dec. 24 for the Dec. 31 issue.
The early deadlines apply to both ad reservations and Calendar/Club
submissions. Questions? Call 484-0519.

SLANT

Good
turnout for the Dec. 10 demonstration in front of the Wal-Mart
store on West 11th, and the TV news crews were there with their
bright lights and cameras. Labor organizers counted about 200
people in the shivering crowd, including some curious shoppers
— and that's what it's all about, raising public awareness
about low wages, poor benefits and predatory business practices.
Wal-Mart discussion continues when Jeff Golden of Jefferson Public
Radio comes to town for a free open forum from 7 to 9 pm Friday
at Café Paradiso. This time of the year we can all use reminders
about why we need to support our locally owned businesses and
such enterprises as the Holiday Market at the Fairgrounds this
weekend. The job you save could be your own.

Saddam
Hussein's capture this week will go down as one of those
great and dramatic moments in history, providing juicy fodder
for tell-all books, late-night talk show jokes and made-for-TV
movies. But will the public get the whole story about how the
U.S. supported and armed this dictator, then spent billions, killed
thousands and alienated allies to depose him? Let's hope future
history books will provide more meaningful and balanced context
than we are currently getting in TV news, the growing medium of
choice for most Americans.

Progressive
Rich Cunningham is lacing up his running shoes again.
He hasn't filed yet, but he's formed a fund-raising committee
to test support for a race against incumbent County Commissioner
Bobby Green in 2004. This will be Cunningham's third try. He lost
to Paul Holman for the LCC Board last May, and again to Jennifer
Solomon for City Council Ward 6 (Bethel) in 2002. Cunningham moved
here a few years ago with his family from Rhode Island and has
been trying to plug into local politics and public service. He's
picked a tough opponent with a potentially heavy war chest. We
remember Green's well-funded name-recognition media blitz that
overwhelmed the more issues-based campaigning of Kitty Piercy
in 2000. Green is popular, affable and good on social issues and
human rights, but a challenger such as Cunningham or Tim Hermach
will hopefully hold Green's feet to the fire on environmental
and land use issues.

Martha
Lane Roberts, a Creswell progressive, is quietly building support
for what appears to be a strong campaign for Tom Lininger's old
East Lane County Commission seat currently filled by appointee
Don Hampton. Who will she be up against in the May primary? Perennial
politician Cedric Hayden for sure, and Mark Herbert of Springfield,
but we hear Faye Stewart II of Cottage Grove hasn't turned in
his petition yet. Meanwhile, Mike Bonner is the only candidate
to file so far for Floyd Prozanski's soon to be vacant 8th District
House seat (but lots of folks, including former Councilor Gary
Rayor, are seeking the short-term appointment), and Pat Farr has
not filed for re-election to the 14th District.

The
"Bust Bush Boutique" we wrote about last week generated about
$510 along with donations of more hats, shirts and other
items of clothing to be turned into peacewear. Organizer Carol
Berg says she hopes to raise a total of $1,000 for Eugene PeaceWorks'
Committee to Counter Military Recruiting. The "mobile boutique"
will continue from 10 am to 6 pm Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19-20,
at 2510 Augusta St. in the Laurel Valley neighborhood.

SLANT includes short opinion pieces
and rumor-chasing notes compiled by the EW staff. Heard any good
rumors lately? Contact Ted Taylor at 484-0519, editor@eugeneweekly.com